The Aesthetics of Ugliness
What do we mean when we talk about something being aesethtically pleasing or not? What criteria do we use to make these judgements?
Can music be beautiful in the same way a work of art can? Or a piece of architecture compared to a mathematical equation? Aesthetics helps us to discuss different forms with specific language for each medium.
Can music be beautiful in the same way a work of art can? Or a piece of architecture compared to a mathematical equation? Aesthetics helps us to discuss different forms with specific language for each medium.
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For centuries philospohers and artists have attempted to decipher the composite parts of what makes something aesthetically pleasing in art. To this day we have no definitive answer, but there are some ideas that appear to have stood the test of time. One of these concepts is that of the 'Golden Section' or 'Golden Ratio' whose application can be found through nature, art and design.
The mathematical formula on which it is based was discovered in ancient Greece, after scholars began exploring the visual qualities of the natural world. One of its many applications is a way to approach the creation of aesthetically pleasing artworks through effective composition. The video (left) gives you an idea of how these principles have been drawn from nature. It's almost as if beauty has been 'built in' to the natural world, and humans attempt to mirror it in their own work. Is this part of the mathematical formula for beauty? |
You can find more information and cross curricular activities involving the golden ratio at http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/teachlearn/student/mathscontinuum/ttgoldenratiotasks.pdf
When we discuss art, we don't just look at it's underlying ratios, we also use a number of technical terms to describe its varying components such as colour, tone, texture etc. We also use words to describe how these elements interplay with each other, called art 'principles', and examples include the harmony and balance of a composition. Further information on art elements and principles can be found at the bottom of the page.
The attainment of these principles, and the effective use of art elements help us decide whether a piece of artwork is aethetically pleasing or not. One idea then, is that something appears ugly when it breaks these formal rules of beauty such as the 'Golden Section' or has a lack of 'balance' in its composition.
When we discuss art, we don't just look at it's underlying ratios, we also use a number of technical terms to describe its varying components such as colour, tone, texture etc. We also use words to describe how these elements interplay with each other, called art 'principles', and examples include the harmony and balance of a composition. Further information on art elements and principles can be found at the bottom of the page.
The attainment of these principles, and the effective use of art elements help us decide whether a piece of artwork is aethetically pleasing or not. One idea then, is that something appears ugly when it breaks these formal rules of beauty such as the 'Golden Section' or has a lack of 'balance' in its composition.
Other influences on Aesthetics
The definition of aesthetics in art is continually evolving and many see it not as purely visual judgement, but as a judgement of aesthetic experience. That is, how we emotionally respond to the piece of art as a whole, not just responding to how it looks. For example, thinking an artwork is disgusting, even when it is well executed, implies an instinctive emotional response to the subject matter which is beyond our control. These sort of reactions influence whether we describe something as aesthetically pleasing or not. Evaluations of aesthetics can also be linked to desirabilty. For example, an expensive sports car can be considered beautiful partly due to its expense and high status attributes. However, it could also be considered showy and ostentatious depending on your personal beliefs. These beliefs may over-shadow the design of the car itself, affecting our aesthetic judgement of the object. Can you think of any other factors which may affect our aesthetic judgements? |
The Museum of Bad ArtThe Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) is a privately owned museum which is 'dedicated to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of really awful artwork' and celebrates the 'labour of artists whose work would be displayed and appreciated in no other forum'. Many of the works in the collection could be described as ugly and break the formal 'rules' of beauty (presumably unintentionally). It has three branches with a total collection of 500 works. Their collection can be viewed online at: http://www.museumofbadart.org/
The inspiration for the museum came from what would be its first acquisition - Lucy in the Field with Flowers (right). It was found in the trash and originally valued for its frame alone until it prompted a wider discussion of 'bad' art between the museum's founders and his friends and led to the founding of institution. To be included in MOBA's collection, works must be 'original and have serious intent, but they must also have significant flaws without being boring; curators are not interested in displaying deliberate kitsch'. |
Discussion
Looking through MOBA's collection, to what extent do you think they have linked ugliness with 'bad' artwork? Do you think MOBAs criteria for truly 'bad' art is correct? Are there pieces of art which don't fulfill this criteria but you would still describe as bad?
MOBA has come under criticism for being 'anti-art'? What do you think this means? Do you think this criticism is justified?
What role does intention play when creating art? If an artists purposely creates a piece of art that is ugly, can be described as success? If an artwork is only accidentally beautiful, does that reduce its worth?
Is ugliness tied to an emotional reaction? If a piece of art isn't aesthetically pleasing, but doesn't move us in any way, is it still ugly rather than just unsuccessful?
MOBA has come under criticism for being 'anti-art'? What do you think this means? Do you think this criticism is justified?
What role does intention play when creating art? If an artists purposely creates a piece of art that is ugly, can be described as success? If an artwork is only accidentally beautiful, does that reduce its worth?
Is ugliness tied to an emotional reaction? If a piece of art isn't aesthetically pleasing, but doesn't move us in any way, is it still ugly rather than just unsuccessful?
Activity
Formally analyse 'Lucy in the Field of Flowers'. Discuss how the artist has used elements and principles to produce
aesthetic qualities. Examine subject matter, techniques, style, use of materials and symbols. Discuss what you do and don't like about the work, and whether you would deem it 'ugly'.
Create a piece of art that is formally ugly.
Plan the approach you will take, listing the various elements you will address (subject matter, art elements and principles etc.). You will probably find making an artwork that is purposely ugly harder than you think - why do you think this is?
aesthetic qualities. Examine subject matter, techniques, style, use of materials and symbols. Discuss what you do and don't like about the work, and whether you would deem it 'ugly'.
Create a piece of art that is formally ugly.
Plan the approach you will take, listing the various elements you will address (subject matter, art elements and principles etc.). You will probably find making an artwork that is purposely ugly harder than you think - why do you think this is?
DEfinitions
Art elements and principles: Art elements — include line, colour, texture, tone, form, shape, movement, sound and light — are basic units of the visual language of art. The principles of art are the means by which the art elements are organised into a composition. They may include such things as: emphasis, balance, harmony, proportion, rhythm, variety and unity.
A definition of visual language that may be useful to support your understanding is found on page 32 of the VCE Studio Arts study design, Advice for Teachers section http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/studioarts/studioindex.htm
Balance: An art and design principle concerned with the arrangement of one or more elements in a work of art so that they appear symmetrical (even) or asymmetrical (uneven) in design and proportion.
Harmony: The unity of all the visual elements of a composition achieved by repetition of the same characteristics.
Kitsch: Art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but appreciated in an ironic way.
A definition of visual language that may be useful to support your understanding is found on page 32 of the VCE Studio Arts study design, Advice for Teachers section http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/studioarts/studioindex.htm
Balance: An art and design principle concerned with the arrangement of one or more elements in a work of art so that they appear symmetrical (even) or asymmetrical (uneven) in design and proportion.
Harmony: The unity of all the visual elements of a composition achieved by repetition of the same characteristics.
Kitsch: Art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but appreciated in an ironic way.